The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-03

1
never seen me day after day exhausted
by over-work. l manage my work
while Mrs Wilkins work manages
her; that is the difference.
Il told her that when l had large
ironing to do, did not try TO iron all
in one day; and then such articles as
sheets. tea towels and the coarse I'M
dergarments were only put smoothly
through the clothes wringer, when
washed, then thoroughly dried, folded
and put away for use. 1 think they
have a fresh, sweet, clean smell, that
they lose by being dampened and
ironed. But Mrs. Wilkins looked
shocked at such proceedings and said
her conscience wouldn't rest easy if
she left so much as rag without every
wrinkle ironed out of it, and then she
couldn't feel comfortable until her
work was all done up and out of the
way. l wanted to say that l. too,
would have a troublesome conscience
if l daily injured my health by I'M
necessary work, but she looked so tired
and careworn that l hadn't the heart
to be cross with her, and so talked
CHEEKY nonsense until she was glad that
1 had come in, for it had livened her
up bit.
Il next went across to Mrs. Deans
and there found another tired, worm
looking women, all Hurried and flushed
over the cook-stove, baking cake and
mixing wonderful connections.
Mrs Dean boasts of her good cook
ing, and has her table spread with
dainty, delicious dishes. rich and I'M
wholesome, that tempt the daily eater
on to sure dyspepsia, and there is a
perpetual bowling in that family with
some ailment or other"
20, well, Brownie. the public has no
idea how you starve your family with
your ideas of plain living" put in Mr..
Smith.
YES" said Brownie, eve are star
we'd into good, sound health by eating
plenty of plain, wholesome food. Our
table doesn't groan under loads of in
digestible pastries, nor are we groan-
ing around with dyspepsia or other
disease"
Brownie" said her husband, "when
l look at you l am reminded of the
village schOolmaster in Oliver Gold
smiths Deserted VILLAGE - And
still the wonder grew that one small
head could carry all he knew'-and
ever since our wedding day there has
been no limit to my pride and wonder
when I think of being the possessor of
the wOnderous small head of my wife"
Without heading this remark Brownie
continued: 81 afterward went to Mrs.
Gray's, and she, as usual, was busy
sewing, and felt inclined to break out
in a general TRADE against the fashions,
for those little girls of hers must be
rutfied and tucked and flounced until
they look like so many pulled poppin-
jays; she gives so much time and
thought to dress, her chief interest in
life is fashion. When she enters
Heaven her first inquiry, think, will
be to know how the angels dress. l
don't believe she has read single
book through since she was married;
she finds no time for recreation that
every one needs; and what pleasure
there is in such life, I don't know"
I'VE shouldn'tlive for pleasure alone,
Brownie" said Mr.. Smith.
''And good there is in it none, I'm
sure" was the reply. "She was wor-
rying over the approaching house
cleaning time. told her how l econo-
mixed in that by not having the whole
house covered with carpets; that 1
liked best to have the upstairs bed
room floors either painted or oiled,
with a rug or two in each room; it was
saving of much heavy work and a
much better way to maintain cleanli-
ness. l liked to feel that the rooms
were always pure, clean and comfort
able. Mrs. Gray merely replied
that she supposed 1 had my
way and she had hers. l don't
seem to have knack of con-
vincing people of the better way; and
l can not always understand why they
will spend their time in useless labor,
like stepping on perpetual treadmill,
always going but never getting to any
real good that is to be enjoyed and
done in the world. So few persons,
it seems to me, economic their time
and strength, so us to get the most
ont Of +hoip short livoc and o++oi,, -
the full extent of their capabilities of
enjoyment and usefulness that would
think myself happy if l could but per-
suade few individuals to adopt our
beautifully simple way of living"
Mr.. Smith looked kindly upon his
wife and said: Reforms move slowly,
Brownie, and some, having seen our
good works, may in time, he led to see
and accept the beauty and good that is
to be found in our way, and find in life
more that is healthful, useful, and all
the year round live in the enjoyment of
a more jolly genial-heartedness. At
any rate. example is said to be strong
er than precept, and we need not make
the less happy because our
neighbors may happen to persist in
their way of enjoying ali the discom-
forts they can find in life, while we
take pleasure in all its comforts secur-
ed to us by our way of doing. "-Phre''-
illogical journal
The Example of Zaccheus-
1t is said that Mr.. Spurgeon is in the |